LONDON - Britain's top share index closed 0.5 percent higher, ending a three-day losing streak on the back of gains in miners after reassuring earnings from Alcoa. The FTSE 100 closed at 4,158.66 points, up 18.43 or 0.45 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European share markets closed higher, bouncing after five days of losses, with miners and banks among those regaining some lost ground, .

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.8 percent at 823.32 points, below its high for the day of 829.88 and after falling for five sessions in a row.

The benchmark is up more than 27 percent form the lifetime low in early March but the rally stalled last month on concerns about the pace of global economic recovery and corporate profits. The index hit a 10-week closing low on Wednesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 4,630.07 points, up 57.42 or 1.26 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,025.94 points, up 16.23 or 0.54 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 5,305.39 points, up 16 or 0.3 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 18,850.25 points, up 189.61 or 1.02 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average fell to a seven-week closing low, weighed down by exporters such as Canon as the yen stays near five-month highs against the dollar amid growing doubts about a speedy recovery in the global economy. In moderate trade, the Nikkei fell 1.4 percent or 129.69 points to 9,291.06, its lowest finish since May 22.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares rose 0.39 percent, driven by a surge in carmakers including Dongfeng Group after China announced upbeat June car sales. The Hang Seng Index finished up 69.52 points at 17,790.59, rebounding from a two-week low.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian shares dipped 0.1 percent, with investors seen reluctant to commit cash before more was revealed about the outlook for company profits in the upcoming earnings season. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell just 4.6 points to 3,763.3.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand was slightly firmer against the dollar in a choppy session where it gave back most of its earlier gains, dictated mostly by overseas trends and shrugging off local manufacturing data. The All-share index closed at 22,157.88 points, up 143.83 or 0.65 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,239.89 points, down 21.34 or 0.94 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 17,805.58 points, up 75.91 or 0.43 percent.